The annual Nike Hoop’s Summit event is one of the single most important weeks of scouting of the year. While most draft fans are locked-in on the current draft class, some of the top prospects for next year’s class are putting in work in front of hoards of NBA scouts
As you already know 2027 is a class that has widely been panned as one of the weakest of the past decade but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a ton of talent on display this week in Portland and during the competitive game Saturday night, which team USA won in overtime 102 to 100.
While I agree with the narrative that next year’s draft class is a softer one, I think there are a few factors that could reshape the narrative.
1) the number of returning players to college basketball bolster the overall strength and certainly the depth of the class. 2) I still think there’s a chance we see a real star prospect emerge from this group. There’s not a Wemby or Cooper Flagg level player but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the top prospects takes a major leap over the next 12 months and emerges as a consensus no.1 type of player, maybe even a Tier 1 talent.
Next year‘s draft class looks to have a strong international group of prospects, many of whom participated in this Nike Hoops Summit event. A guy that really stood out in this setting (and all year for that matter) is Jordan Smith Jr. I think he has Donovan Mitchell-like abilities and could be one of the top prospects off the board next June. Unfortunately he banged up his thumb in overtime but battled through it.
Another guy that stood out and was one of the stars of the game and of the whole week was the smallest guy on the court Miles Sadler, who is heading to West Virginia. Only 5-11, Sadler is an absolute stud. He’s as exciting of a player as there is in this class, he only lacks ideal size.
One more standout, who is ranked a bit lower but looked like one of the best players on the court was Abdou Toure. The explosive 6-6 wing is a true high flyer but was also hitting shots and making plays all over the court. He’s going to be really fun to watch at Arkansas next season.
Lucas Morillo and Caleb Holt also impressed.
Standing out in this setting doesn’t guarantee that a prospect will be a lottery pick, or even a first rounder, but this event does go a long way toward setting the initial bar or baseline for their draft stock.
Here are some notes for the U.S. team and the World team:
Team USA
Bruce Branch III – SF – BYU – A super smooth and ultra-talented wing who didn’t do a whole lot in this game. More of an off ball player.
Christian Collins – SF – USC – An awesome athlete who is a natural wing who scores off cuts, in transition and can create some offense as well.
Jason Crowe Jr. – PG/SG – Missouri – The co-MVP of the McDonald’s game, Crow is just a pure scorer. He doesn’t always look like a NBA guy (being a bit undersized as a scoring guard) but the dude just gets buckets.
Caleb Gaskins – SF – Miami – A sturdy 6-7 forward with a feathery J. A good off-the-ball mover and a really good shooter. Will be part of an exciting Miami team next season. He’s not flashy but is just a really good player. I’m a fan.
Caleb Holt – SG – Arizona – I nice guard prospect who does a bit of everything. Always seems to be in the right place at the right time and is a high IQ player. Gets after it on both ends. Hit a lot of shots in the first half, even with letting the offense come to him. Will be a nice fit in Tommy Loyd’s system. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s there for two years.
Brandon McCoy – PG – Michigan – A big time athlete who is coming along with his ball skills and guard skills. A standout defender who can guard 1 through 3 and has shutdown ability. His outside shot is coming along but he’s far from a pure shooter. He’ll earn his minutes with how he locks down defensively and makes plays in transition. McCoy was huge down the stretch for Team USA.
Deron Rippey Jr. – PG – Duke – An athlete with good ball skills but lacks size. He’ll have to become a really high-end 3pt shooter to be a star at the next level. Didn’t do a ton in this game.
Jordan Smith Jr. – PG/SG – Arkansas – If there’s one player that could be a sleeper superstar it’s Smith. He’s got elite tools with long arms, good strength and superior athleticism. I think we might all be underrating him. He’s always been ahttps://nbadraftroom.com/paul-osaruyi/n elite athlete and defender but his offense has gone to a whole new level this year.
Tyran Stokes – SF – Undecided – The athleticism and talent is so obvious. I think his skills could translate really well to college and he’ll be a star next year. His power stands out. He can do a little bit of everything, has good handles, can create offense for himself and others and has good scoring instincts. He’s not at the level of previous no.1 ranked recruits but is clearly a NBA talent.
Ethan Taylor – Center – Michigan State – A longer term prospect who has the tools and will have to continue to add to his frame and his game.
Cameron Williams – PF – Duke – A super impressive athlete but a lot of things are still theoretical with him and he’s far from a polished prospect. He’s an incredibly fluid mover for his size and looks like a guard in a 6-11 body. Needs to fill out his frame and figure out if he’s a big or a wing. Doesn’t have a go to move or have a defined game but can do a bit of everything.
Elijah Williams – SG – Baylor – A solid prospect with NBA bloodlines but probably isn’t a one and done. A smart player and very skilled but isn’t the best run/jump athlete.
Team World
Maximo Adams – SF – UNC – NA
Ikenna Alozie – PG – Nigeria (Houston) – His open court athleticism stands out. Has some handles but needs to polish up his point guard skills. I could see him in Houston for 3 to 4 years.
Tajh Ariza – SF – Japan (Oregon) – A really smooth athlete who can get out and run and finish with acrobatic moves. A glue-guy type who probably won’t be a star but could develop into a NBA player. Has all the tools but will probably be a multi-year college player.
Adam Atamna – SG – France – Atemna had a good week in Portland, showing the craftiness and high feel that makes him such an effective player, despite not having top notch speed or athleticism. Shows good passing vision and overall feel for the game.
Arafan Diane – Center – Canada (Houston) – One of the most impressive prospects in the world from a physical standpoint, the 7-foot, 300lb Diane missed this game with an injury.
Sinan Huan – C – China (Purdue) – A massive dude with very long arms and a chiseled frame. Moves well. Doesn’t have a polished game but you can see glimpses of what he can be a few years down the road.
Ethan Mgbako – SF – NA (Vanderbilt) – The 6-5 wing is a solid player who could be a college star. I’m not sure he’s a NBA guy but we’ll see.
Lucas Morillo – SF – Dominican Republic (Illinois) – A very skilled big wing who can really pass the rock. A smooth player who can initiate offense and get to his spots. Hit some big threes in this one. Really impressed. I’ll be moving him up my board.
Miikka Muurinen – PF – Finland – Such an impressive athlete. His all around game is still a work in progress but the way he moves at nearly 7-feet tall is hugely impressive. Can fly above the rim and is an awesome dunker. Not the most skilled and is sort of a tweener. We’ll see if he can develop as a big man or develop his big wing skills.
Baba Oladotun – SF/PF – Nigeria (Maryland) – Basically a 6-10 guard who loves the mid-range and has impressive touch on his jumper. Missed most of the season with an ankle injury and is still getting his legs back under him.
Paul Osaruyi – PF – Canada – A younger prospect who could be one of the top guys in the 2028 draft. A nice athlete, needs to get stronger, has some pop. A good play finisher who can really get above the rim. Definitely looked like he belonged in this one. He’s a stud.
Miles Sadler – PG – Canada (West Virginia) – Lack of size is the only knock against Sadler. The feisty 5-11 point guard is a walking bucket. Even on a court with a bunch of studs he stands out as a dynamic guard who is really tough to stop. He has an extra gear that other’s don’t have and he can blow by defenders. Does a really nice job of making plays for others and getting his teammates easy baskets. This kid is special and could be one of the faces of college basketball over the next few years.
Abdou Toure – SG/SF – Guinea (Arkansas) – I thought Toure measured well this week coming in at 6-6 1/2 with a 6-9 1/2 wingspan. A truly elite above the rim player and an awesome open court athlete. I think he can become a big time defender as he gains experience. If the 3pt shot comes around (he hit a nice one in this game) then watch out! Toure really stood out in this one, hitting shots, making plays above the rim and being super active all over the court.
See where all these guys rank in my 2027 and 2028 mock drafts